With close to 75,000 people responding positively to our ministry programs on an annual basis, more than 26 percent of them are being referred to local Lutheran churches.

Lutheran Hour Ministries-Laos

Sharing Faith in One of the World’s Most Underdeveloped Countries

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

As an American citizen, you not only have the right, but also the privilege to receive a good education, to elect leaders from a two-party system, to obtain medical care, and other endless opportunities. Imagine for a moment if conflict, lack of opportunity, and resources prevented you from receiving these blessings.

This is the unfortunate situation in the Southeast Asia country of Laos. According to a 2005 World Bank study, Laos is suffering from the fifth worst brain drain with 37 percent of educated Laotians living abroad. This phenomenon is caused by the emigration of the educated, trained or talented individuals to other places where more opportunities are available. In addition, an authoritarian, Socialist government, an outbreak of Bird influenza and other factors are contributing to the devastating poverty of Laos.

As the tenth poorest nation in the world, the people of Laos are forced to live in poverty. Eighty percent of Laos’ total employment comes from subsistence farming. Not only does the country lack railroads and operate with a primitive road system, there is limited telecommunications because electricity is only available in a few urban areas.

Although 60 percent of Laotians consider themselves Buddhist, there is no official religion in Laos. Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)-Laos combats the struggles of Laotians by sharing God’s love through various ministry outreach programs. Communication is a challenge for LHM-Laos. The center uses a tremendous amount of volunteers to reach rural communities.

As a Socialist state, safety is an issue for LHM-Laos staff and volunteers. They put themselves in danger to share Christ’s love with the Lao people through Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), music outreach programs as well as radio broadcasts. Members of local churches are engaged through Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops, in which everyday people are given the knowledge and evangelical tools to share the Gospel with others. Christian and non-Christian Laotians also enjoy fellowship, Bible study, and borrowing Christian materials and books from LHM-Laos’ library.

As God has bestowed blessings upon you, so you may share those blessings with others.

Please consider a gift today so that LHM-Laos can continue to reach out to the Lao people yearning for Christ's hope.

For more information about this ministry, click here.